Winsted development commission pushes for merger with redevelopment agency

WINSTED >> A potential lack of quorum and declining membership on several boards and commissions is pushing the Economic Development Commission (EDC) to push for a merger with the town’s Redevelopment Agency.

According to Dick Labich, chair of the EDC, the Redevelopment Agency was once a subcommittee of the EDC. He said that with a possible threat to quorums, for him it “makes sense” to merge.

Labich said the EDC has asked the redevelopment agency to join forces a few times over the last few years. This is the most recent request that the EDC has submitted and it has yet to hear from the Redevelopment Agency.

“Both organizations would be better off if they were one,” he said. “More people would get involved. Economically we can get some more money than they can do on their own.”

Labich said though he doesn’t know exactly what their reasons are, he thinks they haven’t accepted the offer year because they like the “freedom.”

“I think they like being by themselves,” he said. “I know now they think they ought to be doing something different.”

Town Manager Dale Martin said he thinks the merger would be a good solution to dwindling numbers in the organization.

“If they’re having trouble filling positions on both agencies and both agencies have a similar mission it at least needs to be considered,” Martin said. “There are people who want to work.”

Out of 11 possible members on the EDC, there are currently only six serving – some of which have had unexcused absences for the last three months.

The redevelopment agency is down to three members out of a possible five. Carol O’Connell is a member of both organizations and said she’s been suggesting the merger for some time.

“It’s just going to enhance both organizations,” she said. “It’ll help both of them out but it‘s not up to me.”

O’Connell said the Redevelopment Agency hasn’t accepted the offer yet simply because it has not discussed it as an option.

“There’s only three of us left on RA,” she said. “If one of us can’t make it then there’s no meeting. So it’s not a good situation.”

Labich said this is not an unusual issue but if there is a way to remedy the problem he would be happy to explore it.

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Reporter Mercy Quaye covers statewide breaking news for The New Haven Register, The Middletown Press, and The Register Citizen. Reach the author at mquaye@registercitizen.com
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